Accredited & recognised English schools in Ireland
Accreditation tells you that a school meets recognised quality standards for teaching, facilities and learner protection. In Ireland, English language education is quality-assured through the state agency QQI, and the system is moving to a new mark called TrustEd Ireland. Here are the main schemes you will see, and an important point: recognition of a school is not the same as a course being eligible for a student visa.
The main schemes and marks
QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland)
The state agency responsible for quality and qualifications in Irish education, including English language education.
TrustEd Ireland
The quality framework and mark being introduced by QQI to recognise English language providers, replacing the interim arrangements.
ACELS
Accreditation and Co-ordination of English Language Services, the scheme that has recognised English language providers in Ireland, now transitioning to TrustEd Ireland.
MEI (Marketing English in Ireland)
An industry association of English language schools. Membership is an industry signal, not a government accreditation.
EAQUALS
An international quality accreditation that some schools choose to hold, in addition to Irish recognition.
Recognition is not the same as visa eligibility
This is the point students most often confuse. A school can be recognised or accredited while a particular course is not eligible for a student permission. If you need a Stamp 2, the specific course must appear on the ILEP or TrustEd Ireland list of eligible programmes. Check the course, not just the school.
Do not treat a Google rating or an industry membership as proof of accreditation or visa eligibility. Verify each separately on the official sources.
What to check before you enrol
Confirm the school's current recognition through QQI, ACELS or TrustEd Ireland; if you need a student visa, confirm your specific course is on a current eligible list; and keep the school's documentation. Recognition schemes are changing during the move to TrustEd Ireland, so always check the latest status.
Accreditation schemes and provider lists change, especially during the move to TrustEd Ireland. Always confirm a school's current recognition and a course's eligibility on the official sources above before you enrol or pay.